University News Last updated 19 November 2012
A senior figure at Birmingham School of Media is the only British journalism academic invited to play a key role in a major European event this week.
Diane Kemp, director of postgraduate broadcast journalism programmes at Birmingham School of Media, part of Birmingham City University, will be acting in an editorial capacity alongside senior producers from France 3, the second largest French public television channel.
The four day event beginning on 21 November in Bordeaux is the culmination of a joint EU/Council of Europe campaign focussing on anti-discriminatory reporting in news and sport.
Over 90 leading journalists from across Europe will be taking part, with an emphasis on producing reports which reflect the highest editorial and ethical standards.
The event is part of the MARS (Media against Racism in Sport) programme, which has been running for several years and aims to highlight issues and suggest solutions for better, more inclusive reporting across Europe.
Long track record
Reynald Blion, Media and Diversity manager for the Council of Europe, says he has invited Diane to participate because of her particular skillset.
“The expertise she brings, from her past in BBC radio and television to her long track record in journalism training within the UK’s HE sector and her active involvement in ‘inclusive’ reporting, makes her ideal for this role,” he said.
Earlier this year Birmingham School of Media were involved with the MARS programme when they hosted the EU/Council of Europe’s only UK forum for European journalists and educators to discuss the underlying problems facing sports reporters.
Professor Philip Thickett, Head of Birmingham School of Media, said: “This is a reflection of the reputation Diane has in the field of journalism education in the UK and Europe and another indication of the strength of our journalism programmes in the School.”
For more information about the MARS event in Bordeaux, visit www.coe.int/mars.